In this video we will show you how to identify and fix those pesky run on sentences in an engaging and interactive way. By the end you will be a pro racer and the run on sentence relay races. On your marks, get set, go!

What is a run on sentence and how to fix them.

Run on sentence are sentences that have two complete thoughts smashed together. They are improper sentences and must be fixed. There are two types of run on sentences. The first type of run on sentence is a fused sentence. A fused sentence is when you put two complete thoughts together for example; A dog sat on a log a cat sat on a mat. This is not a proper sentence. The second type of run on sentence is a comma splice. This is when two complete thoughts are put together but separated by a comma. The comma is not strong enough to separate the two and so it is still an improper sentence. For example; My dog likes to run, I like to run. This is not a proper sentence. The three simplest ways to fix a run-on sentence are FANBOYS, subordinates and punctuation. Let’s take a look at the following run-on sentence; I write a lot of stories they are all about dogs. This is a fused sentence because it is two complete thoughts put together. If we tried to fix it with a FANBOY, we could say: I write a lot of stories, but they are all about dogs. If we tried to fix it with a subordinate, we could say: Although I write a lot of stories, they are all about dogs. Finally, if we fixed it with punctuation, we could say I write a lot of stories. They are all about dogs. The same strategies apply to comma splice sentences. If you break it down run-on sentences are very easy to fix. Give it a try and you will see. Just remember how to spot them; two complete thoughts put together by nothing or a comma equals a run-on sentence, and the three main ways to fix them.

Test questions:

1. Name the two types of run on sentences
2. True or False this is a run on sentence – We go to the movies a lot, we only watch thrillers
3. Fill in the blanks – A run on sentence is two ______ ______ put together
4. Multiple choice: Which of the following is a fused sentence

a) I love dogs and they love me.

b) My favorite drink at Starbucks is the hot chocolate but it is so expensive.

c)My bus is always late I am always stuck waiting.

d) The ducks are very loud, I think they are trying to talk to us.

      5. Write a run a comma splice sentence and then fix it using a subordinate

1.Fused sentence and comma splice sentence 2. True 3. complete thoughts 4. c 5. Answers may vary